MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren is stepping up his interest in Inter Milan midfielder Stephane Dalmat in an attempt to cushion the blow of missing out on Flavio Conceicao.

McClaren, out of luck in the transfer market this summer, is increasingly anxious to make a breakthrough and bolster his midfield after Brazilian Conceicao snubbed a proposed one-year loan from Real Madrid to join German giants Borussia Dortmund.

Dalmat, who moved to Inter from Paris St. Germain in January 2001 for a reputed £7m, is available on loan.

The 24-year-old Frenchman came on as a second-half substitute in Inter's 4-1 Champions League win against Newcastle at St. James' Park last season.

Former Boro striker Marco Branca, now Inter's sporting director, yesterday confirmed that the Teessiders had enquired about Dalmat.

"I can confirm there is official interest from Middlesbrough," said Branca, who was last season dispatched to spy on Boro striker Massimo Maccarone.

McClaren yesterday saw record £8.15m signing Maccarone sidelined for the start of the season through injury - and Conceicao become the latest in a long line of transfer targets to slip through the net.

Conceicao's decision came as a further setback for McClaren, who has already seen top targets Geremi, David Dunn, Brett Emerton and Trevor Sinclair, move elsewhere.

McClaren was also issued with a hands-off warning when he asked about Fulham's Sean Davis, who was yesterday ruled out for six weeks with medial knee ligament damage.

And Scott Parker recently agreed a new five-year deal with Charlton following a discreet enquiry from Boro.

Conceicao, 29, would have linked up with fellow Brazilians Juninho and Doriva, but McClaren said: "I understand he's chosen to join Borussia Dortmund, where he will be offered the chance of playing Champions League football next season."

Having lost Geremi to big-spending Chelsea following his successful year-long loan from Real, and with George Boateng battling to shake off an ankle problem, McClaren needs to add to his midfield options.

His only signing so far this summer has been midfielder Doriva, who was on loan from Celta Vigo for the final three-and-a-half months of last season before being released by the Spanish side.

McClaren was grateful for one crumb of comfort yesterday when striker Michael Ricketts was cleared to resume full training this week after an ankle injury.

Ricketts looks ready to ease McClaren's concern over the loss of Maccarone, with Boro confirming: "Michael is already running and is expected to return to full training this week.''

Maccarone is in plaster after damaging ankle ligaments in last Saturday's friendly victory at Hull.

The Italian will undergo further tests next week to assess the full extent of the injury.

McClaren said: "Massimo will certainly miss the start of the season. It's a big blow because he was shaping up so well in the pre-season work.''

Boro continue their build-up to the new season tonight with a visit to First Division Rotherham (7.45).